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Holiday Schedule for Publication
of PWNC News & Events
Due to office schedules and holiday closings, the "PWNC News & Events" will not be published the week of November 25th, and the last edition of 2022 will be December 16th.
If you have items of interest for the weekly newsletter, please email those to Tonya Williams. Information should be sent electronically, preferably with an image, 10 days in advance, for inclusion in the following week's distribution. Submissions may be edited for brevity. The General Presbyter or Stated Clerk will make final decisions about what may be included.
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Introducing the “Leadership in Challenging Times”
Pastoral Cohort Program
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The Presbytery of Western North Carolina is pleased to announce the beginning of two pastoral cohorts for ordained clergy! Facilitated by Revs. Jill Isola (Northminster, Hickory), Steve Eason, and Lewis Galloway (both Honorably Retired), they will walk alongside pastors in discussing the theme of “Leadership in Challenging Times”. We are forming pastoral cohorts in the west (Black Mountain) and the east (Hickory) which will begin in January 2023 and meet ten times in the next year. This will be a time to discuss, share experiences and insights in ministry, and build relationships.
If you are interested and want more details, please contact Byron Wade, General Presbyter, at bwade@presbyterywnc.org or by cell/text at 828-430-1515.
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Attention Church Treasurers!
2023 Pledge Cards Needed
Thank you to all the churches that have submitted their estimated pledge amount for 2023! There's still a large number that have not responded. Please do that at your earliest convenience as this estimation helps us to plan for the mission and ministry of the Presbytery next year.
We thank you in advance as we work together to Strengthen congregations, Equip disciples and Engage in mission!
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Constitutional Amendments
Approved from the 225th GA
For information about how our Presbytery will deal with Constitutional Amendments approved by the 225th General Assembly (2022) and recommended to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes, click here. The link includes each of the 33 amendments on which presbyteries will vote, along with a one-sentence description of what the amendment does, as well as a second document that gives the full detail for each amendment.
There are many amendments, so General Council has agreed to the process outlined in the above link that we hope will provide for our Presbytery to exercise due diligence with respect to them.
Questions? Contact Stated Clerk, Cam Murchison, at 404/556-8041 or by email at cmurc1@gmail.com.
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2023 PW Scholarships
Think college. Think scholarships. Think Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina!
Because of increased costs in tuition, PW of PWNC is now offering one new scholarship of $3,000 for study at a 4-year accredited college or university each year. This scholarship is renewable for one year.
Are there high school seniors in your church or students who are already in their first or second year of college? They may be interested in applying for scholarships to help them achieve their goal of completing an education and you could help them by sharing information about PW Scholarships.
Are there people in your congregation who are already in the workforce and are thinking of going to college to make a career change? They may be older than those we typically think of as college age, but may want to pursue a degree at this time in their life. Likely they are also eligible for a scholarship from the Presbyterian Women of PWNC. Let them know of this opportunity, too!
Download the scholarship application and guidelines to share with members of your congregation who may be thinking about college and scholarships. If your members are already in college, share this information with parents, or email students directly and let them know that you want to help. They may need a reference letter from you when they apply for the scholarship, too.
Please help us advertise this wonderful opportunity. Print out this bulletin insert for your congregation and spread the news! Thanks for your help!
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A MISSION TRIP TO MALAWI
After Easter 2023
The Malawi Mission Committee is planning a Mission Trip to Nkhoma, Malawi leaving in April 2023 after Easter. The trip is tentatively scheduled to leave between April 10th and 11th and will return April 22, 2023 (or a little later for others).
This will be an important trip because it will have been four years since we have been to Nkhoma. Our focus will be on building/rebuilding relationships, learning about changes, and looking toward the future of Ebenezer School, Nkhoma Hospital, the Rural Clinics/Health Centers, the Nkhoma Synod, and the Seminary.
If you would like to go or find out more information, please call Michael McKee (mikemckee12@gmail.com) or Bobbi White (828-674-8671/bobbiwhite02@gmail.com). There are fewer flights into Malawi than previously, so airfare will need to be booked as soon as possible. If you are interested, do not wait to contact us. We will be finalizing the details soon.
In the past, the cost of the trip has been $3,000, and we do not anticipate that changing. There are some scholarship funds available and your church may also be willing to help.
We are excited about returning to visit friends and making new friends! Please let us know if you would like to join us!
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We have just learned that Jim Forbes will not be able to preach at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church on November 20 as previously announced at Presbytery. We just wanted to notify everyone that he will not be preaching.
Mary Katherine Robinson, Pastor and Head of Staff
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
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PSCE Sponsored Cohort Groups for
Commissioned Ruling Elders
Commissioned Ruling Elders (CRE) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to participate in one of five cohorts whose goals are collegial support, sharing new ideas, and learning best practices for ministry. The cohorts are designed to fulfill the church's need for such support and to strengthen the ministry of CREs.
These cohorts will meet monthly for the 2023 calendar year. Groups will consist of up to eight participants and a facilitator. The cohorts will meet for two hours once each month on Zoom. Participants will receive a stipend of $500 for the year.
Each participant must have a current commission in effect, serving as a solo pastor in a congregation. Topics for engagement by participants will include spiritual disciplines and practices, seasonal needs in the church's program year (i.e., Advent, church school, Session meetings, educational opportunities), and the sharing of the needs and concerns of each participant. Preparation for meetings may include short reading assignments.
This program is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary's PSCE program (Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education) which provides support for those in ministry in the PC(USA). The CRE cohorts were beta-tested in 2022, with very positive results based on participant feedback. A set of cohorts is currently underway for Christian Educators. This new initiative expands the meaning of Christian Education to include the broader work of the church. Check out this program at https://www.upsem.edu/psce/.
Deadline for applications is November 30, 2022. The cohorts will run from January to December, 2023. For further information, contact: Marilyn Johns at marilynjohns2@gmail.com.
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We Need You to Apply!
Pulpit Supply
PWNC needs pulpit supply preachers. If you are a:
· member-at-large,
· honorably retired clergy,
· interim pastor without a call,
· associate pastor,
· CRE,
· CPM candidate, or
· teaching elder with time on your hands and hearts . . .
. . . then please consider serving at a church that has a vacant pulpit. There are a number of churches in our presbytery that utilize the pulpit supply listing each Sunday so they can continue worshipping on a regular basis.
If you are not already engaged, won’t you please consider helping out by making yourself available one or more Sundays a month? These churches are so appreciative. To learn more about this ministry, please contact the Presbytery office (828/438-4217 or email mpuckett@presbyterywnc.org).
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"Many glasses of water cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."
— Song of Solomon 8:7
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) urges your support this hurricane season. In the wake of catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Ian, recovery is ongoing in places hit by Hurricane Fiona, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Storms are becoming more frequent and more severe, and this early in the hurricane season we must prepare for these broad and anticipated catastrophes that have not yet formed. Give today to enable our response, from emergency needs through the long-term recovery phase.
The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray.
Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000194, which supports the church’s response to hurricanes and typhoons. Gifts can be made by making checks payable to PWNC with "DR000194" written on the memo line. Mail to the Presbytery office at 114 Silver Creek Road, Morganton NC 28655.
More information can be found here from PCUSA.
(Article by Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance)
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Please Give! Daily Change Funds Critically Low! | |
Our "Daily Change" fund (formerly "Nickel a Meal") is at a critically low point. This affects the PWNC Hunger Committee's ability to fund grant requests received bi-annually from agencies across our Presbytery. Fall funding requests will be reviewed soon, so we need your help to replenish the fund!
Please encourage your members to contribute to this worthwhile cause! Consider taking up a special offering during Sunday worship in the coming weeks, or designate 5th Sundays as an opportunity for this collection. As your church is looking towards ministry plans for next year, consider making it a staple in your annual budget.
Please help us replenish the fund! Give the change you want to see in the world.
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Opportunity for Safe Gatherings Training for Congregations in PWNC
Some churches have asked whether Presbytery might help in providing training for their volunteers who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults. In addition to the policy that was adopted by PWNC last year on child and youth protection, we have made arrangement with the Safe Gatherings organization to allow any congregation of the Presbytery to have their volunteers access online training that may help ensure safety in their ministries.
Here is a brief description of the course that is available:
Safe Gatherings Training Course is a comprehensive training empowering leaders to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults through greater awareness of:
o Sexual predators and their habits
o Types of abuse
o Signs of abuse
o How to respond to disclosure of abuse
o Mandatory reporting
o and more!
To begin the registration process, click here This takes you to the home page. To register for the Safe Gatherings Training Course, click the red button at the top of the page labelled “Get Started.”
The next page will ask you to establish your own account, working your way through several pull-down menus. After you choose “Church or Faith Based Organization,” then “Presbyterian” as the denomination, you are asked to indicate your specific organization. Begin typing “western” and the option for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina will appear. Next you will enter your personal information to establish your account with a password. This will take you to the next screen where you enter additional details and agree to terms of service. On the following screen you are asked to pay $24.00 for your course online with a credit card. Churches may work out arrangements with their members for reimbursement as needed. When you take the final quiz for your course, presbytery will receive a notification that you have completed it. On request, the Presbytery office can certify whether a particular individual has completed the course.
If you encounter any difficulties in this process, please be in touch with Cam Murchison (cmurc1@gmail.com; 404-556-8041) or with Tonya Williams (twilliams@presbyterywnc.org; 828-438-4217). Thanks for joining us in exploring new ways to ensure healthy and sacred boundaries in PWNC.
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Presbyterian Collegiate Ministries of North Carolina (PCMofNC) is hiring an Executive Director to join the Board of Directors in the important work designed to support all North Carolina campus ministries, facilitate opportunities for campus ministers to foster healthy collaboration and fellowship among them, maintain relationships with each of the five NC presbyteries, and to help (re)introduce Presbyterian campus ministry on campuses. The job description and contact information can be found here: https://bit.ly/PCMofNCExecDir.
Interested candidates, please send an email and cover letter to admin@pcmofnc.org.
Please send qualified candidates our way and spread the word!
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QR Code (also takes you to the job description!)
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Click the buttons below to explore other current job
opportunities that are also listed on the PWNC website.
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We Love to Share Your Good News!
If you have items of interest to share with the Presbytery in the weekly newsletter, please email Tonya Williams.
Information should be sent electronically, preferably with an image, 10 days in advance, for inclusion in the following week's distribution. Submissions may be edited for brevity. The General Presbyter or Stated Clerk will make final decisions about what may be included.
The e-news publication goes out each Friday to members across the Presbytery. We look forward to sharing your good news!
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Office Closings
Please make note of the following
PWNC office closings:
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 23-25, 2022
Strategic Planning Retreat
November 28, 2022
Christmas Holiday
December 23-December 30, 2022
New Year's Holiday
January 2, 2023
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PWNC staff are operating remotely on Fridays. Please make note of the contact information provided below as the best way to reach respective staff members during this time. | |
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PWNC OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Office building closed/staff remote)
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
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Byron Wade
Cam Murchison*
Beth Gunn*
Marie Palacios*
Barbara Ross*
Bob Ayala*
Lisa Pressley
Tonya Williams
Robbin Buchanan*
Marcia Puckett*
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828/430-1515 cell/text
404/556-8041 cell/text
828/329-9209 cell/text
828/838-4245 cell/text
828/387-6332 cell/text
828/284-6628 phone
828/443-4600 cell/text
828/443-6412 cell/text
828/438-4217 ext. 13 phone
828/438-4217 ext. 18 phone
*Denotes part-time
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